Political newcomer running for mayor

Monika Bromley wants to be Centennial's next mayor — and her lack of formal political experience, she says, makes her the right person for the job.

“I've got fresh eyes and ears — and ideas. I'm not a politician,” says Bromley. “I'll be a true citizen mayor, the voice of the people of Centennial.”

The energetic 48-year-old mother of five and East Centennial resident is making her first run for public office, the sole challenger on the November 5 mail-in ballot to incumbent Cathy Noon, who is running for a second term as Centennial's mayor.

Bromley, a part-time yoga teacher who also does volunteer work with the Denver Rescue Mission, describes herself as “friendly and outgoing. I believe in kindness and in being courteous and respectful to everyone,” she adds.

Born in Torrance, Calif., before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Bromley worked in paralegal services and as an executive assistant for a mining company and law firm. Her husband Cory works as a natural gas attorney.

Bromley's decision to run for mayor came shortly after she attended her first city council meeting this past May.

“I stood up during the public comment period and asked a question regarding our HOA,” says Bromley, who lives in the Chaparral 480 subdivision and serves as secretary on the subdivision's homeowners association board.

“After going to that first council meeting and not coming away with a satisfactory answer,” Bromley says, “I started researching city spending, taxes, services, budgets. Then I talked to my husband about why the city was formed in the first place — residents' desire for small government, low taxes — and I realized that we were heading down a different path as a city. That's when I decided to run for mayor.”

Bromley said she opposes “tax and spend mentality” and believes in “small government, maintaining necessary municipal services and eliminating duplicity. We need to review and justify all expenses and focus on what is best for the residents of Centennial.”

Handing out fliers, knocking on doors, attending local events, Bromley estimates she's already spoken one-on-one with at least 200 Centennial residents and plans to step up her public profile in the weeks before the election.

“I've gotten a lot of positive feedback and gathered some great ideas from city residents,” she says. “A lot of people congratulate me for wanting to get involved. It's been very gratifying.”

Although she lives in the same subdivision as her opponent, Bromley said that she has exchanged “only a few words” with Noon. “The mayor seems focused on her own political aspirations, growing our government and spending frivolously,” Bromley says.

If elected, Bromley promises to bring a different style of leadership to the mayor's office. “I will always be approachable and have the highest integrity,” she says. “I am as truthful and honest as you can get. I cannot lie. Just ask my mom.”